#SteemitIsToMe: Relationships, Reputation, and Rewards

I often get asked for advice on how to succeed at Steemit. Success means different things to different people, but when asked, I usually share the same three posts. I started blogging here in July of 2016, and I think these three posts summarize quite a few thoughts on what Steemit means to me.

I was reminded of this right before heading out to Steemfest when @ehiboss asked me to do a 5 minute video for Steemit Nigeria. I like how the video turned out and now that it's been shared with their community, I wanted to share it with you as well (even if you don't happen to live in Nigeria).

Here are the three posts I mention in the video which explain what Steemit means to me:

Reputation

Rewards

I don't expect many of you to read through those old posts, but for those who are looking for advice from me, that's where I'll send you.

We have an amazing community here. I think it will continue to prosper and grow if we remain focused on building valuable relationships. If we respect each other and work to maintain and improve our reputations, we'll incentivize mutually beneficial action. As we sharpen our skills of communication and connection, we can also enjoy some nice financial rewards, but those rewards won't come without consistent work over time.

I hope this little video and these three posts are helpful to you as you navigate your own Steemit journey. If you like the idea of putting together a short video or essay on what Steemit means to you, go ahead and use the #steemitistome tag and put something together for us to share. Drop a link in the comments so we can check it out.

Thank you, this helped me a lot. And I am getting more and more motivated because of your help. this post is very interesting, everyone can be helped because of this post. Thanks you so much Mr. @lukestokes

Just came across this video in your post and it was really helpful , especially how you analyzed and integrated the 3 essential Rs I.e the Reputation , Reward and Relationships ... This are really great attributes that will help any steemian do well on the platform and will keep him or her going, missing out this essentials might not be too cool for a steemian as they intra-works, especially when rewards aint coming then the relationship will help in going on and it was so nice of you to put up such a nice video for us in the Nigerian community though I just saw this video now, I say a big thank you for the motivation you shared in the video, a big thanks from here for the nice post

Thanks a lot for such great advice. I joined steemit only a few minutes ago :) I needed this advice , and I got it. Its like universe gives you exactly what you need, when you need it. It seems like steemit it a little universe in itself :)

I read the three posts then watched the video, I realized the video was a condensed version of the three links. I found out after my first month that trending post authors have paid their dues and still paying it. Many are like, "I do not see why this post is valued at such a high X SBD" without knowing the value the authors have put to steemit. Also, I realized that it is people that made the post trend, they must have seen value in it. Value is a subjective affair, as what is valuable to A may just be trash to B. I have the same opinion about spamming wallet, I think it's an odd behavior. Asking for upvote too is weird since I think the idea of an upvote is for someone to reward contents they LIKED, asking someone to do that negates the idea. I also like that you engage in discussions even when it opposes your personal view. I've realized people most of the times responds with a flag to views they do not share. We can't go around here having the same view. I think that would be weird, even I, a weird Nigerian, realized that :)

Wow, thank you for this post. It was what I was looking for. It's inspirational. I have just started blogging with Steemit and I found this community very helpful. I am trying to be original and provide much values for the community and people like you help us to do that. :)

So, thank you very much. I liked when you said that Steem currency is relationships and that changes everything how we see real value of currency and anything in life.

To @transisto's point above, the currency of Steemit (the website) is relationships (to me), but the STEEM currency is separate and something which can be valued and evaluated on it's own merits (though, clearly, it relates to whole ecosystem build on the STEEM blockchain, including Steemit). It's going to be quite interesting to see how things shake out over the next handful of years, especially with the introduction of Smart Media Tokens.

I think it will grow in the future. It has a lot of perspective. By posting helpful posts, we empower one another, we inspire and get inspired. It changes everything. I think the purpose of social media must be empowering people within it. Steemit is constructive and I like it very much. I feel much free and happy while I am here.

Hi Luke! First of all, I wanted to tell you that I watched your video and you look quite shy/cute :)
Second, I understand that Steemit is a social network, but I dislike to engage in conversations with random people.
I dislike it in real and virtual life.
I find it a waste of time.
Superficial and ephimere. I guess it is the fascination of it. But what to do? I can keep writing for ever, but I won't go anywhere if I don't engage in comments or if I don't use the goddamn bots, that make the real value of my pieces fake.

I understand. My wife @corinnestokes isn't very interested in interacting with strangers either. She's more about just a few key friendships. She doesn't like parties with a bunch of people. Sometimes I want her to change so she can experience the depth of relationships and joy I have through the many connections I've made. Usually, though, I recognize everyone is unique and we all have different mechanisms we use to find purpose and meaning.

Thank you for coming out of your comfort zone a bit to comment here and say hello. Don't be afraid of stepping outside of your comfort zone. You may like what you find. :)

thanks for this. I really needed to see some of those old posts. These past few days have been rough as I feel I have uploaded quality content but without anything to show for it. I read through the links you provided and I will do my best to keep plugging away even through the discouragement! Thanks!

Thank you for this. I just started on Steemit. I have been blogging for awhile but not here. The first post about the real currency being relationships defiantly made me feel better about a small trepidation I had after joining. Immediately after posting I went through few other trending posts and saw several "I upvoted and followed now you follow me" I understand the need for some reciprocity but I don't want to feel obligated to follow or up vote because someone else did. I want good content that really is something of value to me. My interest may not be similar to yours maybe we have one post or one item in common. I want the people who like my stuff to like my stuff and resteemit. Im willing to put in the time and effort to organically grow a following but I was worried that I would never have a chance of being successful if I don't "play the full game" That may still be true but at least now I can feel a bit better about wanting to like what I like and wanting other to like what I post because they like it! Thanks for this post!

When I was more younger than I am now, I was really worried about how to make money doing what I love, music. Maybe that has nothing to do with the topic here "What means Steemit to me?" But i think it's a good start for what i'll trying to say next.

We are all humans with so much talent but we don't really know about that and how to apply it in a practical way, by practical way I mean to say a way that is fructiferal to us in terms of reward, in terms of feeling good with that you are doing with your life.

For me, maybe because i'm starting on this community, Steemit its like a way to enhace our talents. All that unknown and non-practice talent in a "regular" life, in Steemit will grow because we are so much excited with the idea of being rewarded for doing it good.

For some people maybe it's not correct that need of reward for the things that you do in a good way, alright, maybe it's truth, we need people around the world that make the things only for love, but we can't denie the importance of being rewarded, and i think that it's one of the things that make the world going thru.

In that terms i think that Steemit it's doing a marvellous thing with the people that joins the community, and it will make a good change in their lives.

Now than i'm not than younger like before, i know that i can live doing music, doing what i love, and I hope Steemit it will be a good vehicle for a good start.

Thank you @lukestones, I'm new on Steemit and your aportations will be very good for me.

Inspirational as intended. Well spoken and highly knowledgeable. For others beside Luke reading this. This guy is the real deal and knows exactly what he is talking about. Luke understands the importance of relationship here even when it's 100k in SP to zero. To have a steemit friendship as well as his support has proven invaluable to me here, and has truly helped me excel.

Wow Luke 13 years blogging experience that totally rivals my amount of travel experience. Amazing how people go down different life paths then meet in the middle here on Steemit! Enjoyed the video thoroughly! Great job! -Dan

Been reading through you 3 posts and video. Even after all the time and money vested into steemit and steem I still love learning what others are doing and have done to get to this point.

Relationships are key to building wealth here on steemit but also what success is to one person could be different for another. Some want money, others want fame and others just want an awesome place to hang and chat.

I spoke with him about some of it in the airport in Lisbon as we were leaving Steemfest. I'm glad he left some of his original ideas out of it. :) My concern with lowering witness pay too much or lowering incentive for holding Steem Power is that within a DPOS blockchain, the security of the chain is maintained by the delegation of the stake holders. If there's little incentive to hold stake then in theory it could be easier for someone to come along and influence things.

I read through much of Jerry's post (it's long!), but I haven't commented as I'm still thinking about it. I wonder if the STEEM blockchain (HF 20, etc) is ready for those types of initiatives yet. There's still a lot of work to do.

Thanks. I figured maybe when we're out of beta; perhaps with some long term warning, so top witnesses can factor it in.
Stockpile sp for six months in anticipation of a price jump, and the income decrease isn't such a blow.
I agree we need to keep that prize really desirable, though (Top 20).

I've been wondering if the linear voting has taken posting from a lottery mindset to a card-punching, 9-5 mindset.
Effort is more likely to net some rewards but far less likely to hit a real jackpot, as per the white paper.
I didn't mind making 2 cents each off a dozen posts in a row, knowing I might suddenly make $2000.
Now I'm guaranteed $5, but can't possibly imagine making more than $500.
Not sure that attracts the extra polished content we're hoping for.

Yeah, it's quite interesting to watch this economic experiment unfold. In some ways, it seems many people will never be happy. Either they complain about making $0.02 while others bring down $2k or they complain about only making $5 to $10 (while somehow forgetting every other social media site not only doesn't earn them anything, but uses them as the product).

Maybe someday we could introduce some curve back in just to see how things would change. I'd love to re-run the existing blockchain data on a different configuration and see how the distribution of rewards changes. Obviously incentives would have changed along with it, so it's not possible to do a perfect analysis, but it would be interesting. There's also the SMTs to consider. Maybe they will allow for different rewards approaches where things could be tested out in different ways.

If the witness rewards were lowered, I would be okay with that as long as it didn't impact the integrity, security, and strength of the long-term future of the blockchain.

Just want to say thanks for being so cool and approachable.
I just realised I've posted completely off topic; then changed topic again, but you're unfazed, polite and considered in your responses.
You're a good sort, Luke :)

We should aim for slow growth. The rewards will rise along. Currently Steem and blockchain is so new to people that no matter the amount of rewards, most will be sceptics. This way we help nurture people that believe in the system itself and will not vanish if the rewards dip.

Steem is a project just starting, now is the time to build foundation for future success and right people holding SP is key to that.

Because some people might take it seriously. At this stage in my life, I have zero interest in being part of the violent system that is State government. I much prefer growing an alternative system of non-violent consensus.

Dear Sir,
Really a motivational post for all of us, not only to the minnows or red fish but for entire community.
I would name it theory of "3R" . It was rightly said that rewards & fame does not come overnite.

The post inspire us to do our best not only in contents but also to engage with others to build repo and then get rewards.

Thanks for showing the right path.

Regards@steemflow
Resteeming the post to make people familiar for hard and quality work to get rewards.

This post was about Steemit, the social media site. It wasn't about the economics of the STEEM token, how to increase the value of it, trade it, secure it, etc. I'm wide open to correction, but I'm not understanding your point here. Can you please clarify? Would it be helpful if it did a "What does STEEM mean to me" series?

Thank you for clarifying. You are right to hold witnesses to a high standard and to encourage clarity between STEEM and the interfaces that use it. That was written over a year and a half ago, prior to other front-end instances existing. It was less than one month after me joining the platform, and I was still figuring things out (also more than a year before I became a witness).

I understand how busy or chainbb or any interface to come in the future would equally apply, but the practical shared experience of most blockchain accounts today is Steemit.com. Part of effective communication involves connecting in ways people understand. Hopefully the future will involve not only many different centralized interfaces, but maybe even decentralized individual standalone clients we run on our own computers.

Thanks for sharing your insights sir. It is nice to have people like you so that newbies like me can be guided accordingly. It is like having an older brother who is there to help and guide you. Stay awesome sir, you have my vote as a witness.

" As we sharpen our skills of communication and connection, we can also enjoy some nice financial rewards, but those rewards won't come without consistent work over time."
-@lukestokes
I think you said it all right here my brother ! 👌Your the man ! Stay golden 😎

In the year and a half plus I've been here, I've never asked someone to follow me like you are asking. Is it possible that has had something to do with my success? Please don't beg for followers. Instead, provide value.

I am from Nigeria sir, and I am still grasping the knowledge of steemit. I appreciate all you have written here, I also read how you earned on steemit. How can I get followers sir and how do I know the right set of persons I need to follow for effective growth in this community?
Thanks for your anticipated response @lukestokes
You can read about me @sostrong

Seriously stop spamming people with replies begging to be followed back. Did you not read my posts about reputation? Please remove your spam comments or I will flag them. You are going about this completely the wrong way. You have to provide value to others over time to build a following and earn value here. You are doing the opposite.

This is fantastic! and yes I will be reading thru some of the old post (that's what I do) I'm really here to go big. I find this extremely helpful and given that there's a learning curve to this platform a post like your really helps many. I have put effort into maintaining my reputation, and hope to continue to grow. My content varies due to the audience lol. Thanx again.
Best wishes, - @splendorhub

Thank you this means a lot! I see great potential here; and time is the biggest and most valuable thing a person has. I have great content in the making. Feedback is always welcome! Best wishes to you always. - @splendorhub

Great content! thanks for adding value in the community. I couldnt agree more. We are social creatures and need other human beings so quality relationships are highly important. Thanks again and im definitely following you! keep up the good work! :)

Hello @lukestokes
We have given you our still tinnie-winnie upvote!
You have been determined by a human @samiwhyte to be possessing of special gem. Do join the #untalented family!

Abolishing the conditioning attached to IQ tests e.g smart, dull, bum, average and you suddenly give every human a chance to shine!

So e.g if Bill Gates did Microsoft and i can do Macro-hard, arent we both genius? Oh, we both are! Showcase your talents regardless of its nature freely with us in #untalented. Relegate all reservations as flaws are allowed and we sift even the so-called nonsense to find sense therein.

#untalented is an ongoing historical curriculum with initiatives/contests, where each participant wins something. No losers! It is also a core branch of #steemgigs, so please join the SteemGigs community on discord already containing around 700 gifted steemian family members. See this URL for more info

and type steemgigs into the first search box. Stay awesome!
Just incase you find any level or form of gifts, talents, attempts at out-of-the-boxness, or any steemian low in confidence about their abilities, worth, etc; please don't let it slip emptily by.

Kindly call on me! Simply reply to any such post and add @steem-untalented or #untalented to your reply and i will be there to upvote, acknowledge, strengthen and encourage them.

I have never found your content to be old except the Steem/SBD reports which get outdated due to their nature. I have all the three posts open and I am going to read them. Thanks for always linking back to your evergreen content. There's a lot to learn and I would trust you more than anyone else on Steemit.